Yet another Ukip councillor has joined the exodus of councillors defecting to the Conservative Party on North East Lincolnshire Council.
Councillor James Cairns, UKIP councillor for Grimsby’s Yarborough ward has switched allegiance citing the Tories as the “only party to consolidate our exit from the EU.”
The announcement was made outside Grimsby Auditorium which is part of the Yarborough ward.
One of the biggest defections in the history of North East Lincolnshire Council came last year when the leader of the Ukip group Councillor Ron Shepherd, now the Mayor of North East Lincolnshire, switched to join the Conservatives in January.
Freshney Ward Councillor Nick Pettigrew switched his allegiances from Ukip to the Conservatives in January this year believing that after the referendum result Ukip’s goals have been achieved and it is now time to join with a "more credible opposition" locally.
That followed the move by Councillor Stephen Harness, ward councillor for Humberston and New Waltham. He left Ukip to become an independent councillor and then became a Conservative councillor in November last year.
Today Councillor Cairns said: "It is a great privilege to have been elected as a councillor for Grimsby and I never forget that.
"Although Ukip and the voters were instrumental in bringing about Brexit, I now believe that only the Conservative Party can consolidate our exit from the EU. I also believe that the outcome will benefit Grimsby economically and would like to have the opportunity to contribute to the future prosperity of our town", said Cllr Cairns.
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"Joining the Conservative Group on the Council is the best way to achieve this", he added.
Leader of the Conservative Group, Councillor Philip Jackson said: "I have worked with James on the Council over the past three years since he was elected. His views usually chime with those of the Conservatives and my colleagues and are pleased to welcome him into the Conservative Group.
"I know he's also an excellent representative for the people of Yarborough ward."
Councillor Cairns will increase the size of the Conservative Opposition Group on the council to 15.
Leader of Ukip on North East Lincolnshire Council, Councillor John Stockton criticised the defecting councillor as "short-sighted."
He said: "The Conservatives are so desperate because they can't get enough votes in the chamber.
"It is not the Conservative Party, it is the ConservativeUkip Party. It is the only way they can be described. The Tories cannot recruit people themselves so they have to hire from other parties."
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It leaves three Ukip councillors in the borough.
Councillor Stockton recalled the Ukip group locally was first formed with just two.
He said there will be a full compliment of Ukip councillors to contest each of the wards in the borough in next May's local elections.